Barrette for supporting ornamental broaches

ABSTRACT

A barrette for removably securing there to an ornamental broach of the type having an ornamental element which is provided a fastening element, said fastening element including a pin member pivotally connected at one end to the ornamental element and adapted to be removably secured at its other end to the ornamental element. The barrette includes a body portion having a conventional hair clasping portion and a cradle mounted on the body portion for receiving the pin member of the ornamental broach. The cradle is provided with at least one longitudinally extending bore therethrough for receiving the pin member of the ornamental broach in a plurality of different angular positions relative to the body portion of the barrette; in one form of the invention, the cradle is provided with a single longitudinally extending bore and the cradle is pivotally connected to the body portion of the barrette; in another embodiment of the invention, the cradle is in the form of a turret which is provided with a plurality of angularly arranged and longitudinally extending bores any one of which is adapted to receive the pin member of the broach.

United States Patent [191 Kleine May 6,1975

[ BARRETTE FOR SUPPORTING ORNAMENTAL BROACHES [76] Inventor: Shirley H.Kleine, 8877 Weller Rd.,

Cincinnati, Ohio 45242 [22] Filed: June 10, 1974 211 Appl.No.: 477,666

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.305,592, Nov. 10,

1972, Pat. No. 3,817,260.

Primary Examiner-G. E. McNeill Attorney, Agent, or FirmWilliam S. Dorman[57] ABSTRACT A barrette for removably securing there to an ornamentalbroach of the type having an ornamental element which is provided afastening element, said fastening element including a pin memberpivotally connected at one end to the ornamental element and adapted tobe removably secured at its other end to the ornamental element. Thebarrette includes a body portion having a conventional hair claspingportion and a cradle mounted on the body portion for receiving the pinmember of the ornamental broach. The cradle is provided with at leastone longitudinally extending bore therethrough for receiving the pinmember of the ornamental broach in a plurality of different angularpositions relative to the body portion of the barrette; in one form ofthe invention, the cradle is provided with a single longitudinallyextending bore and the cradle is pivotally connected to the body portionof the barrette; in another embodiment of the invention, the cradle isin the form of a turret which is provided with a plurality of angularlyarranged and longitudinally extending bores any one of which is adaptedto receive the pin member of the broach.

9 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures BARRETTE FOR SUPPORTING ORNAMENTAL BROACHESCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is acontinuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No, 305,592. filedNov. 10. 1972, now U.S. Pat. No. 3.8l7,260 for Ornamental BarrettefiBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to improvements in jewelry and more particularly to a hair claspor barrette for securing an ornamental broach to mil-adys hair.

2. Description of the Prior Art Hair clasps or barrettes are inwidespread use today for holding a tress of hair in a preslectedposition for enhancing the beauty of miladys hair style. These devicesare usually of a relatively inexpensive construction, comprising amolded plastictype body portion having a clasping element secured to theunderside thereofv The clasping element is adapted for passing throughthe hair tress and locking the body portion in a preselected position onthe outer or exposed portion of the hair tress whereby the hair tress isheld securely in the set position. The body of the barrette adds adecorative touch to the hair style. However, due to the relatively lowcost of items such as these. it will be apparent that many of thebarrettes available today are not especially attractive or decorative ascompared with a more expensive piece ofjewelry which milady may desireto wear. Many persons who wear barrettes possess beautiful itemsofjewelry, such as broaches which may be heirlooms, and the like, whichthey desire to display, and frequently these jewelry items would greatlyenhance miladys hair style in a much better manner than the usualbarrette available today. However, these jewelry items are not normallyconstructed for being fastened in miladys hair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a novel hairclasp or barrette having the usual clasping element provided thereon forengaging a hair tress in the well known manner. The body portion of thenovel barrette, however, is provided with means for receiving a separatepiece or item ofjewelry, such as a broach, thereon for securelyretaining the jewelry item on the barrette during use of the barrette inmiladys hair. The broach may be readily removed from a barrette when nolonger needed for decoration, or may be replaced by another broach, thusproviding unlimited decorative hair clasp devices for miladys hair. Thebody portion of the barrette also includes a cradle having at least onelongitudinally extending bore therethrough for receiving the pin orpiercing element of the broach. In one embodiment of the presentinvention the cradle has a single longitudinally extending boretherethrough but the cradle is adapted to be pivoted relative to thebody portion to provide a plurality of different angular positions ofthe broach with respect to the body portion. In another embodiment ofthe invention, the cradle is in the form of a turret which is providedwith a plurality of angularly arranged longitudinally extending boreswhereby the pin member of the broach can be inserted through whicheverlongitudinally extending bore will provide the proper angulardisposition of the broach with respect to milady's hair. Thus, arelatively inexpensive and basic barrette may be utilized with anexpensive and ornamental broach for providing an ornamental ordecorative item for miladys hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of abarrette embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the barrette shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end'elevational view of the barrette shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing a modified means forpivotally securing the cradle to the body portion of the barrette.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along section line 55 ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but showing a further modificationof the means for pivotally securing the cradle to the body portion ofthe barrette.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of an ornamental broach which can be utilized withthe barrette of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a modified form of thecradle.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view of the upper portion of FIG. 8, showing theornamental broach of FIG. 7 attached thereto.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along section line 10-10 of FIG. 8,showing the internal details of the cradle.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, but showing a still furthermodified form of the cradle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings indetail, reference character 10 generally indicates a hair clasp orbarrette comprising an upper or outer body portion 12, and a claspelement 14. The body portion 12 as shown herein is an arcuate sideelevational configuration whereby the general contour thereofapproximates the general contour of miladys head (not shown) as is wellknown in devices of this type. The body 12 as shown in FIG. 2 is anelongated oval configuration, but it will be apparent that there is nointention of limiting the body 12 to this particular configuration. Theclasp element 14 may be of any suitable or well known type, and as shownherein comprises an elongated arcuate arm 15 having one end 16 thereofpivotally secured to the under or lower surface of the body 12, and theopposite end 18 thereof adapted for selective engagement with a hook orcatch member 20 provided on the lower or under surface of the body 12 inspaced relation with respect to the hinge connection 16, as is wellknown. Thus, the arm 15 may be pivoted in a direction away from the body12 for opening of the clasp element 14 whereby the arm 15 may beinserted about a hair tress (not shown and the outer end 18 thereof maythen be engaged with the catch member 20 for securing the barrette 10 onthe hair tress, as is well known.

An ornament receiving member or cradle 22 is disposed in spacedrelationship from the outer or upper surface of the body 12, and ismovably or pivotally secured thereto in any suitable manner, such as bya shaft 24 and support button 26, the latter being secured to the shaft24 and resting against the upper surface of the body portion 12. The endof the shaft 24 extends through the body portion 12 and is flattened atits inner end, as at 27, to provide the remainder of the pivotalconnection. A suitable locking device 29 is provided on the body 12 forcooperating with the button 26 to lock the button in position when thecradle 22 has been properly oriented with respect to the hair tress. Thelocking device 29 is preferably in the form of a set screw, which can bescrewed into the body 12 to lock the button in place.

The cradle 22 as shown in FIGS. l3 is preferably in the form of anelongated body portion 28 having a longitudinal bore 30 extendingtherethrough.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the button 26 has been replaced by adisc 32 and the body 12 is provided with a plurality of small bumps orprotusions 34 which can be molded in the body 12 or which can be in theform of small metal protrusions attached to the body of the barrette.The disc 32 is preferably a disc of very thin sping steel, and as shownin FIG. 5, can be provided with a plurality of rounded notches orrecesses 36 which are adapted to receive the bumps or protrusions 34.The disc 32 is connected to the shaft 24 for rotary movement therewith.Thus, when it is desired to move the cradle 22 to a different angularposition with respect to the body 12 of the barrette (as compared withthe positions shown in FIGS. 1-4), the cradle 22 is rotated about theshaft 24 to force the recesses of the disc out of contact with theprotrusions 34 until the latter reside in different rounded recesses 36as represented by the desired angular position of the cradle 22.

FIG. 6 represents a modification of the disc 32 shown in FIG. 5. In FIG.6 the disc 32 has been replaced by another disc 38 which is providedwith a plurality of holes (or indentations) 40, also adapted to receivethe ends of the protrusions 34 (not shown in FIG. 6). The disc 38 isalso preferably made of very thin spring steel and is keyed or connectedto the shaft 24 for rotation therewith. The modification of FIG. 6permits angular adjustment of the cradle 22 in the same manner asdescribed above in relation to FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a broach 42 of the type which can be used with the barretteof the present invention. The broach 42 normally includes an ornamentalelement 44 (the back side of which is shown herein) having a fasteningelement 46 secured to the back or undersurface thereof. The fasteningelement 46 includes a piercing member 48 commonly called a pin, havingone end pivotally secured at 50 to the element 44 and the opposite end52 adapted for engagement with a hook or catch 54. The opposite side ofthe element 44 from that shown in FIG. 7 would be provided with adecorative surface or ornamentation. In order to use the ornamentalbroach 43 with the barrette 10, it is merely necessary to disengage thepin 48 from the catch 54 and then insert the in 48 into thelongitudinally extending bore 30 of the cradle 32. Thereafter the pin 48is engaged with the catch 54. With barrette in miladys hair, the broach42 can then be adjusted to the desired position by rotating the cradle22 to the desired position with respect to the body 12.

As shown in FIG. 8, the pivotal cradle 22 has been replaced by a fixedbutton or turret 56. The turret 56 is provided with a plurality oflongitudinally extending bores 58 angularly arranged with respect toeach other as best shown in FIG. which represents a crosssectional viewof the turret 56 shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a view of a portion of the body 12 and the turret 56 showingthe broach of FIG. 7 inserted through one of the longitudinallyextending bores 58. The pin element 48 would first have been releasedfrom the clasp or catch 54, pivoted downwardly with respect to thepivotal connection 50, and then inserted through the longitudinal bore58, and then refastened.

FIG. 11 represents a modification of the turret 56 where the turret is ahollow member having a plurality of oppositely disposed openings 62constituting, in effect. the equivalent of the longitudinally extendingbores 58 of the turret 56. The pin element 48 of the broach can beinserted through any pair of opposite openings 62 in the same manner asdescribed above with relation to FIG. 9.

Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relationto the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other andfurther modifications. apart from those shown or suggested herein. maybe made within the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A barrette for securing therein an ornamental broach. said broachbeing of the type having an ornamental element with a fastening elementon one side thereof, said fastening element including an elongated pinhaving one end pivotally secured to the fastening element, the oppositeend of said pin being adapted to be removably secured to said ornamentalelement; said barrette comprising a body portion, hair tress claspingmeans carried by the body portion for securing the barrette to a hairtress, a cradle carried by said body portion and having at least onebore extending longitudinally therethrough. said cradle being adapted toreceive the pin of said broach through a bore thereof in a plurality ofdifferent angular positions relative to said body portion.

2. A barrette as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cradle is providedwith a single longitudianlly extending bore therethrough and whereinsaid cradle is pivotally connected to said body portion.

3. A barrette as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cradle is pivotallyconnected to said body portion by means of a shaft attached to said bodyportion and wherein locking means interacting between said shaft andsaid body portion are provided to lock said cradle in a plurality ofdifferent angular positions relative to said body portion.

4. A barrette as set forth in claim 3 wherein said locking meanscomprising a circular button fixed to said shaft adjacent said bodyportion and a set screw threadedly received in said body portion andadapted to engage said button.

5. A barrette as set forth in claim 3 wherein said locking meanscomprises a flexible disc secured to said shaft adjacent said bodyportion, said disc being provided with a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced peripheral notches. said body portion being provided with aplurality of protrusions adapted to be received in the peripheralnotches.

6. A barrette as set forth in claim 3 wherein said lock ing meanscomprises a flexible circular disc having a plurality ofcircumferentially arranged indentations in the surface thereof, saidbody portion having plurality of protrusions received in saidindentations.

7. A barrette as set forth in claim 3 wherein said locking meanscomprises a flexible circular disc having a plurality ofcircumferentially arranged holes in the sur- 5 6 face thereof, said bodyportion having a plurality of 9. A barrette as set forth in claim 8wherein said turprotrusions received in said holes. ret is hollow andwherein said plurality of angularly ar- 8. A barrette as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said craranged bores are provided by pairs of oppositeopendle is in the form of a non-rotatable turrent having a ings disposedaround the circumference of said turret. plurality of angularly arrangedbores therethrough. 5

1. A barrette for securing therein an ornamental broach, said broachbeing of the type having an ornamental element with a fastening elementon one side thereof, said fastening element including an elongated pinhaving one end pivotally secured to the fastening element, the oppositeend of said pin being adapted to be removably secured to said ornamentalelement; said barrette comprising a body portion, hair tress claspingmeans carried by the body portion for securing the barrette to a hairtress, a cradle carried by said body portion and having at least onebore extending longitudinally therethrough, said cradle being adapted toreceive the pin of said broach through a bore thereof in a plurality ofdifferent angular positions relative to said body portion.
 2. A barretteas set forth in claim 1 wherein said cradle is provided with a singlelongitudianlly extending bore therethrough and wherein said cradle ispivotally connected to said body portion.
 3. A barrette as set forth inclaim 2 wherein said cradle is pivotally connected to said body portionby means of a shaft attached to said body portion and wherein lockingmeans interacting between said shaft and said body portion are providedto lock said cradle in a plurality of different angular positionsrelative to said body portion.
 4. A barrette as set forth in claim 3wherein said locking means comprising a circular button fixed to saidshaft adjacent said body portion and a set screw threadedly received insaid body portion and adapted to engage said button.
 5. A barrette asset forth in claim 3 wherein said locking means comprises a flexibledisc secured to said shaft adjacent said body portion, said disc beingprovided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced peripheralnotches, said body portion being provided with a plurality ofprotrusions adapted to be received in the peripheral notches.
 6. Abarrette as set forth in claim 3 wherein said locking means comprises aflexible circular disc having a plurality of circumferentially arrangedindentations in the surface thereof, said body portion having pluralityof protrusions received in said indentations.
 7. A barrette as set forthin claim 3 wherein said locking means comprises a flexible circular dischaving a plurality of circumferentially arranged holes in the surfacethereof, said body portion having a plurality of protrusions received insaid holes.
 8. A barrette as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cradle isin the form of a non-rotatable turrent having a plurality of angularlyarranged bores therethrough.
 9. A barrette as set forth in claim 8wherein said turret is hollow and wherein said plurality of angularlyarranged bores are provided by pairs of opposite openings disposedaround the circumference of said turret.